Ted and Barb discuss their passion for safety and how the industry has evolved over the years. With three years of experience running their own safety business, Total Health and Safety Solutions, Ted and Barb are dedicated to helping clients stay safe and healthy in their workplaces. Before diving into the topic, Ted and Barb share some exciting news - they now offer online safety training through their website, healthandsafetynow.com. We encourage you to check it out and provide feedback on the new courses. While in-person training is often more effective, they recognize the need for online options and are committed to providing their clients with all the resources they need to succeed. Ted and Barbdelve into the evolution of safety over the years, from the early 1900s when safety was not taken seriously, to the present day. Despite progress over the years, the safety industry still has a long way to go. Ted expresses frustration that over 5,000 people still die each year from workplace accidents, and emphasizes the need for continued improvement. He believes that while technology has helped, it's important to also focus on human error and behavioral aspects of safety. Barb adds that she's seen a positive change in the field of safety, with more young professionals entering by choice rather than just falling into it. She also notes that technology can play a significant role in improving safety, as discussed in a previous episode with guest Don Elswick. They highlight the importance of communication and networking in the safety profession and how it can make everyone better in their careers and lives. Overall, Ted and Barb stress the importance of ongoing education and improvement in the safety industry to protect employees and prevent workplace accidents. Listen in as they share their thoughts on the importance of limiting fatalities and severity of injuries in the workplace, and don't miss their humorous banter and jokes.

Ted and Barb welcome Donald Elswick, a former commander in the United States Navy and an occupational environmental health and safety solutions specialist for ELSMART Associates, LLC. He has over 30 years of experience in government and multi-industry and currently serves on the State of Alabama's Technical Advisory Committee on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Ted, Barb and Donald discuss the pros and cons of virtual safety training versus in-person training. While virtual training is cost-effective and timely, in-person training is necessary for life-critical situations, where hands-on practice and instructor-led sessions are required. Virtual training can be used to engage participants before in-person training and help them prepare questions. Donald also stresses the importance of making safety training engaging and effective by involving participants in projects and qualitative analysis. Ultimately, a combination of virtual and in-person training can be an effective way to train employees and make them feel confident in their safety skills. Donald talks about how everyone has their own frame of reference that they can share, and everyone can be lifelong learners, although it is harder for some than others. However, working together, having each other's back, and doing it for the right reason make a difference in the end. This episode also discusses the future of the workforce and how technology can keep employees safe. Donald encourages emerging professionals, mid-career professionals, and mature professionals to consider a career in occupational and environmental health and safety. He reminds listeners that safety is not business confidential, and it's okay to steal from others in safety to improve. This episodes highlights the importance of safety, quality, productivity, and cost-effectiveness in the workplace. Tune in now and discover how technology is being used to keep employees safe and promote a safer workplace.

In this episode of Ted Speaks, Ted and Barb, talk with Carly Baez, a safety manager and a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals. The discussion revolves around the issue of distracted driving, which is a major safety concern in the construction industry and beyond. Carly shares her experience in educating the public about distracted driving and discussed strategies for reducing distractions while driving. Carly also highlights the importance of combining work safety with public safety, and how laws alone are not enough to create a safer environment without proper training and education. Behavior is often rooted in past experience and Carly shares her experience in creating a community challenge that addresses the behavior of distracted driving, rather than simply telling people to stop texting and driving. The challenge requires participants to hold their phones in their hands, face up, with the ringer and volume on, and ignore any calls or messages for 30 minutes. The goal is for people to experience and understand their own response style and relationship with their phones, which is crucial to changing the behavior behind distracted driving. Ted, Barb and Carly also share personal anecdotes about their own experiences with distractions while driving and the importance of this approach, as well as the difficulty of mentally shutting off the automatic response to phone notifications. This episode provides valuable insights into how to address distracted driving and emphasizes the importance of creating awareness about distracted driving and promoting safe driving habits to keep employees and families safe.